UAE says will not allow use of territory for attacks on Iran
Foreign ministry stresses dialogue and adherence to international law
ABU DHABI – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has officially confirmed it will not allow its airspace, land, or waters to be used for any military action against Iran.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) issued the statement on Monday, amid escalating tensions in the Middle East between the United States and Iran.
The UAE also clarified it would not provide logistical support for any attacks, addressing recent reports suggesting otherwise.
UAE Reaffirms Commitment to Not Allowing Its Airspace, Territory or Waters to Be Used in Any Military Actions Against Iranhttps://t.co/L6vF1aRogU pic.twitter.com/JLgTy2TYI2
— MoFA وزارة الخارجية (@mofauae) January 26, 2026
MoFA emphasised that resolving disputes through dialogue, de-escalation, respect for state sovereignty, and adherence to international law remain the most effective measures for addressing current crises. The authority reiterated the UAE’s commitment to diplomatic solutions and peaceful conflict resolution.
In a similar statement last week, Saudi Arabia announced that it would not allow its territory or airspace to be used for operations against Iran. These announcements came as the US warned of a “hard” response if Iran continued to suppress anti-government protests.
Flights disrupted
Heightened geopolitical concerns have disrupted air travel across the region. Several airlines have temporarily suspended flights to Middle Eastern cities. Air France announced it would halt services to Dubai, citing the regional situation. Dutch carrier KLM also suspended flights to Middle Eastern destinations and is avoiding airspace over Iraq and Iran.
India’s IndiGo airline cancelled flights scheduled for 25 January from Delhi to Tbilisi and Mumbai to Almaty. The airline further confirmed cancellations for 26-28 January to Tbilisi, Almaty, Tashkent, and Baku.
Passengers have been advised to monitor flight schedules closely and stay updated on developments in the region.
War rhetoric
While the possibility of military action appeared to recede last week after the White House said Tehran had paused planned executions of demonstrators, US military preparations reportedly continue. Former US President Donald Trump confirmed the deployment of a substantial naval force toward Iran.
Iranian officials have warned that any attack would be treated as “an all-out war,” with their military on high alert. A senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated the country is preparing for the worst-case scenario while hoping the military buildup is not intended for actual confrontation.